| Joe
Krufka became FDU-Madison's first and only wrestling coach in
1964. He coached FDU's wrestlers for 20 years. Despite difficulty
recruiting wrestlers for a first-year program, Krufka led FDU
to a 4-2 record in 1964. After a successful high school wrestling
career in Plymouth, PA, Krufka enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where
he spent four years. He won several military tournaments and
earned the chance to try out for the Olympic team. Selected as
an alternate, Krufka traveled with the team to Helsinki in 1952.
After completing his tour of duty, he enrolled at Penn State
University where he wrestled for the varsity team for three years,
serving as captain his senior year. He won his weight division
in the Wilkes Tournament four times, placed second in the Eastern
conference Championships, and finished second in the 177 pound
class at the NCAA Championships. Krufka became a teacher and,
before coming to FDU, coached on the high school level, building
several successful teams and producing a number of collegiate
wrestlers. After leaving FDU in 1983, Krufka continued to teach
at Whippany Park High School. He retired in 1993 and lives in
Randolph. As a hobby and part time job he runs a silk screen
business, producing T-shirts and sweatshirts. |